Mount Union College Hosts Summer Camps

April 15, 2010

Although Mount Union College students are currently absent from campus because of summer break, the campus residence halls are not empty. The halls are being used for a series of camps throughout the summer.

Several camps for church, youth, and sport groups are scheduled to use Mount Union's campus at alternating times annually. These groups engage in a variety of activities, including taking classes, listening to speakers, having bible study, and participating in workshops.

Karen Moriarty, director of adult studies and summer programs, works as a liaison between the College and the different external groups. She puts together outlines for each of the groups that come to campus which tell her- what facilities will be used, what building keys will be needed, and other important information.

She enjoys her role of eleven years because of the opportunity she gets to broaden her friendship network. "In my position as director of adult studies, I get to know faculty pretty well. But, as director of summer programs, I get to know people from all over campus; dining services to housekeepers to physical plant," she says.

One of the biggest groups who use Mount Union's campus is the YMCA, who sponsors a leaders' training school. Moriarty describes this camp as a "a growing and learning experience for the youth."

Sails Up!, another group, is made up of youth who will be entering middle school in the fall. They stay at Mount Union for two nights and participate in team-building exercises and receive guidance from mentors. Also, several groups affiliated with the United Methodist Church, including United Methodist clergy and Schools of Christian Mission use the campus.

One group who sponsors a summer camp on campus that is not sport, church, or youth affiliated is the Grand Army of the Republic. These men and women are descendants of Civil War Union soldiers.

Moriarty not only appreciates the camps because of the friendships that are forged, but also because of the exposure that the campus gets. "Our administration and faculty want to have teenagers on campus, to stimulate interest in higher education," she says.